Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-06-23
GRAND ARMY TROUBLE.
General Sherman Writes = Pointed Letter
on Matter Troubling Some OF the Posts
of the q. A. X.


General Sherman Writes a Pointed Letter
on Matter Troubling Some OF the Posts
of the G. A. r.
ST. LOUIS, June ID General John A.
Noble and Colonel d. P. Dyer, two promi-
nent mem bers Of the g. A. R. of this city,
have received a long letter from General
Sherman, in which he discusses, at some
length, the recent muddle regarS ing the in
vitation to President Cleveland TO visit ST.
Louis during the Grand Army encampment
next fall The material points OF the letter
are as follows:
The rumor OF your troubles in St. Louis
reached me by telegraph and has lost nothing
by distance. believe we here in New York
now understand the facts-that the G. A R.
hold its next annual encampment at ST. Louis
on the last Wednesday of September. 1887;
that the great fair of the valley of the Missis-
sippi begins Monday, October ?; that the best
citizens of St. Louis have invited many proni-
nent men TO be the guests of their ciIy on that
accidental coincidence OF these two important
events, among these the President of our COM
mon country, Grover Cleveland, his family and
suite. The G. A r. is composed exclusively OF
men who served in the army and navy OF the
Union, to which Mr.. Cleveland does not belong
and therefore he can not participate in any or
its proceedings, but the moment the @. A. R.
energies from its hall OF deliberation, il be-
comes, like the Free Masons, Odd Fellows and
other societies of good men associated for
noble purpose, part of the general communi-
ty, subject TO the laws and usages OF that COM
munity.
States by a fair election OF all our people, COM
mander-in-chief of the army and navy of the
United States free to come and go wherever
the jurisdiction Of this-our Nation-Govern-
ment extends. He may visit any fort or ship,
where the national flag will be lowered to mani
fest respect 10 him and his ONCE, and should a
foreign ship fail to do him honOrs none will be
quick TO resent insult as the members of
r " n norilad md N mol 20
that flag respected at home and abroad. The
idea OF his being insulted, much less endan-
gered should he be on the stand alongside of
our corumander-in-chief, General Fairchild,
when the Grand Army is passing in review,
seems TO me monstrous. I think know the
Iowa boys too well TO believe such a thing pos
sible- Brave men never ungenerous, and
the Iowa soldiers were brave men. I know il
OF knowledge acquired in battle, and 1 will
pledge my life that Iowa soldier will do so
humanity an act, and should Mr.. Cleveland &C.
cept the invitation, which hope he will, to at
tend the parade OF the G. A r. At st. Louis on
September % next will stand by his side or
march past in the ranks OF Ransom post,
may be ordered by General Fairchild.
L notice with pain that the Presidents &C.
ton in certain pension bills enters into this I'M
bills and one Of a general nature which the
President vetoed. The constitution of the
United States compels the President to ap-
prove or veto each separate bill as it reaches
him from Congress. If approved it becomes q
law. II vetoed it requires an increased majority
of Congress to pass it, but the President can
only account for his judgment by his own con-
ception OF duty and to his God. We. sol
diers, must submit to it because it is the law.
1 do not believe this Government ever be
too charitable to the old soldiers, wounded or
in distress by age and infirmity. Had been
near Mr.. Cleveland 1 would not have Ventured
to advise him on the general bill, but to the
private cases would have said: Charity en-
l1rpPlU a md NU6a
special bills have passed the ordeal of the COM
mittees Of the Senate and House, approve
them; but on the general bill exercise your
full constitutional power"
Honest men differ widely on this question of
pensions to our old and feeble comrades We
all want to do what is right, but differ to the
means. All we know is that after twenty ODD
years after the civil war, the Government of the
United States under Republican and Demo
cratic rule, pay out to our soldiers OF the Union
larmy about $50, 600, 900 per year and few thou
sand to the Mexican veterans, regardless
lof locality, and not cent TO the rebels of the
South whom We fought in the civil war. We
old soldiers of the civil war have not yet just
cause to make issue the question OF pen
sions to our infirm and wounded comrades.
advise you TO go right along, prepare the
way for the G. A. r. at its session OF Wednes-
day, September 2s, 1887, at st. Louis, and re.
ceive them as they deserve-as honored guests;
also the President of the United States with
such other honored guests as may grace the
occasion. III any or our comrades feel hurt
at the association they can remain at
home, but the will rise each morn
ing, the seasons will follow each other in
quick succession, and the world, with its myri.
ads of people Will go right along all the same.
Let us do right near a we know how and trust
the future to the boys who Look old veter.
ans prodigies or as old fogies lingering
perhuous on the stage OF life. believe 1 know
you both perfectly well and that you would sac.
rifice life rather than honor. Therefore. what !
ever you do, will stand by you-same &c |
Rainwater, Kennard Cobb and jerome Hill |
who took the wrong shoot in 1861, but who are |
now with us in heart and act for the Union, one
and indissoluble, and forever Instead |
of the Grand Army of the Republic meeting |
only in the loyal States of 1868, am in favor |
of their meeting hereafter at Nashville, Chatta |
nooga and Atlanta, following the example OF ouI |
armies in the war for the Union 1 am always |
your friend, w. II. SHERMAN.